Ottobock's Exopulse Mollii Suit: Wearable Neurostimulation for Muscle Spasticity

Frederik Lundqvist, a chiropractor from Sweden, created the Exopulse Mollii Suit to address muscle spasticity, drawing inspiration from the Mariefoix reflex. In partnership with physiotherapist Jörgen Sandell and fashion designer Andreas Halldén of H&M, they designed a comprehensive wearable device that employs reciprocal inhibition to relax spastic muscles by stimulating their antagonists. The suit is equipped with 58 electrodes that focus on 40 muscle groups, with pulse settings tailored by certified professionals. Launched in 2012 as the Exoneural Network in Europe, it was acquired by Ottobock in 2021. Available in 37 sizes, it follows a standard regimen of 60-minute sessions every other day, enabling home use post-clinical assessment, with effects lasting up to 48 hours. Unlike conventional TENS machines, this suit engages entire muscle interactions at once. Lundqvist characterizes it as a groundbreaking integration of electrostimulation and reciprocal inhibition in a wearable format, allowing patients to transition treatment from clinical environments to their homes, enhancing their independence and quality of life.